Obama orders 60-day cyber security audit

US President Barack Obama has ordered an immediate 60 day review of the online security of government IT systems to check for vulnerabilities.

Melissa Hathaway, who has served as Cyber coordination Executive to the Director of National Intelligence, will lead the review and will serve as Acting Senior Director for Cyberspace for the National Security and Homeland Security Councils during the review period.

"The national security and economic health of the United States depend on the security, stability, and integrity of our Nation’s cyberspace, both in the public and private sectors," said Assistant to the President for Counterterrorism and Homeland Security John Brennan.

“The President is confident that we can protect our nation’s critical cyber infrastructure while at the same time adhering to the rule of law and safeguarding privacy rights and civil liberties.”

Hathaway, a former consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton, has been charged in the past with setting up online security systems for US intelligence agencies and is seen as a wise choice to set high standards.

Private companies are already gearing up to offer contracts for securing the national online infrastructure, with billions of dollars expected to be up for grabs.